The goings-on in the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) where women players were sexually exploited by a section of male members of the Association and which the State Commission for Women took very seriously, deserve discussion by women’s groups across the state. In a matrilineal society it is expected that women would rise to the occasion and condemn in the most explicit terms such acts that violate the sanctity of the woman’s body. Imagine enlisting for a game out of the sheer aspiration to play it to the best of their ability, only to be hampered by such ignoble acts from those who are supposed to be guiding and coaching them to put their best foot forward; this is disgraceful to say the least. The silence from women’s organisations across the state and the lack of condemnation of these and other cases of sexual assaults is worrying. Where are the women’s rights organizations that used to be vocal in condemning all manner of crimes against women? Or have they decided to turn a blind eye to such assaults on womanhood?
However, women’s organisations alone cannot be blamed. What has affected the women cricketers affects every woman. While some parents have spoken on behalf of their children, that is not enough. The entire society must stand united to call out this ignominious act and its perpetrators. In fact the office bearers of the MCA who failed to bring the emails written by the sexually harassed women cricketers to the notice of the concerned authorities deserve equal punishment under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act. It is a criminal act to suppress a complaint made by the women cricketers. It is hoped that the State Commission for Women would also help provide counselling and confidence building from trained counselors to address their hurt and pain; otherwise, they may go into depression, which would affect their budding cricketing careers.
Then we have the latest account of a young man from Mizoram – a former resident of Shillong who allegedly sexually molested or raped some young women here in Meghalaya. The victims of such exploitation are naturally hesitant to lodge a complaint since the perpetrator allegedly threatened to release videos of their sexual escapades on social media. The State Police taking suo-moto action and lodging an FIR against the perpetrator is a step in the right direction. However, only a few cases have come to light. On a daily basis, women, young and not so young suffer all manner of abuse from their husbands or partners and take it in their stride because they have internalized the notion that anything that happens between a couple is a private affair that should remain confined to the bedroom. But the POSH Act that came about after the infamous Nirbhaiya rape case in Delhi was crafted by the like of Justice JS Verma a legal luminary to protect women from such horrific acts. Sexual abuse often leaves survivors feeling isolated. Sharing what happened with someone trustworthy can provide emotional support and practical help. Sexual abuse can have long-lasting psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, guilt, fear, sleep problems, or symptoms of trauma. Speaking with a trained mental health professional or joining a support group can help. The problem is that such peer support groups are not visible in Meghalaya. There is need for more active women’s organisations to take on the mantle of speaking on behalf of the less empowered and abused women.
